Ludhiana, June 12 -- A dream that once united two childhood friends from Machhiwara in Ludhiana has ended in a tragic coincidence, as both lost their lives in separate truck accidents in the United States, just weeks apart.

The families of Dilpreet Singh and Bhupinder Singh - both 25-year-old - now shattered by grief, are preparing to perform their final rites simultaneously, yet in separate villages.

Dilpreet, a resident of Sundar Nagar in Machhiwara, had moved to the US two-and-a half years ago in search of a better future. Living in Fresno, California, he had taken up truck driving to support himself and send money back home. On April 28, while driving eastbound on Interstate-40 in Oklahoma, Dilpreet lost control of his vehicle. His ...